(Ebony Spleenwort)

This tough little evergreen fern offers delightful beauty without the need for a specialized environment. Its wide adaptability is proven by its natural range which spans the warmer tropical regions of North America, Africa and the West Indies, and parts of the midwestern U.S.. It asks for porous gritty ground with plenty of humus to keep the roots in an oxygen rich medium. In the wild it’s found on rocky banks and the slopes of river canyons and in woodlands.

Ebony spleenwort was named for an...

(Hart's Tongue Fern)

This uniquely shaped fern was named centuries ago for the resemblance of its strap-shaped fronds to a deer’s tongue. It is native to Europe, preferring limestone seeps and other rocky well-drained forest conditions. Slightly different forms can be found across North America but today these small populations are endangered. It makes a beautiful rosette of upright, solid fronds that are bright green and wavy-edged, a strong contrast to to ferns with feathery fronds. Because ferns are primitive plants...

(Astilbe, ColorFlash™ False Spirea, False Spirea)

There’s no need to wait for ColorFlash™ to bloom because this fabulous cultivar offers vivid foliage all season long. Hybridized in Europe and introduced by Anthony Tesselaar International, ColorFlash™ false spirea is a regal choice for partially shady sites. While other hybrids offer only variation in flower color, this outstanding performer has leaves in brilliant hues of crisp green, purple-red and burgundy. In fall they turn the vivid sunset shades of gold, orange and red.

This herbaceous...

(Astilbe, Bridal Veil Astilbe)

The beautiful white plumes of 'Bridal Veil' will light up the late spring garden. Asian in origin, this moderately tall clump-forming hybrid perennial is a popular plant for shaded borders.

In spring neat clumps of crisp green compound leaves appear. In late spring to midsummer they give rise to feathery plumes of clean white flowers. These are great for cutting and attract to bees and even butterflies.

False spirea will tolerate full sun to partial shade and must be grown in evenly moist,...

(Astilbe, False Spirea, Jump and Jive False Spirea)

Hybrid astilbes are feathery-flowered herbaceous perennials deriving from crosses involving Astilbe thunbergii, Astilbe chinensis, and others. 'Jump and Jive' produces fuzzy plumes of magenta-pink flowers on slender stems in late spring and early summer over clumps of rich green, ferny leaves. It prefers partial shade and fertile, well-drained soil, but will tolerate full sun if moisture is constant. Plant with hostas, lungwort, bleeding heart, and other shade-loving perennials.

(Astilbe, False Spirea, Rhythm and Blues False Spirea)

Hybrid astilbes are feathery-flowered herbaceous perennials deriving from crosses involving Astilbe thunbergii, A. chinensis and others. The cultivar 'Rhythm and Blues' produces fuzzy plumes of raspberry-pink flowers on slender stems in late spring and early summer over clumps of dark, ferny leaves.

This perennial prefers partial shade and fertile, well-drained soil, but will tolerate full sun if moisture is constant. Plant with hostas, lungwort, bleeding heart, and other shade-loving...

(Astilbe, Sister Theresa Astilbe)

One of many hybrids resulting from crosses among Astilbe thunbergii, Astilbe chinensis, and other Asian astilbes, 'Sister Theresa' is a clump-forming perennial grown for its frothy pink pyramidal flower clusters. The early summer flowers rise on slender stems from ferny mid green foliage.

Grow this astilbe in fertile, moist, slightly acid, humus-rich soil in partial sun to full shade. It will take full sun, but only in cool climates and with constant moisture. Plant it either...

(Japanese Astilbe, Japanese False Spirea, Vesuvius False Spirea)

One of many early-blooming hybrids of the East Asian species Astilbe japonica, 'Vesuvius' is a clump-forming perennial grown for its large, feathery, deep-pink flower clusters in late spring and early summer. They arise on slender stems above ferny clumps of lustrous rich green foliage.

Astilbes in the Japonica Group prefer partial shade and moist, fertile, well-drained soil, but can tolerate drier and sunnier locations. This low-maintenance perennial looks best when planted in groups...

(Japanese Astilbe, Japanese False Spirea, W.E. Gladstone Japanese Astilbe)

One of many striking hybrids of the East Asian native Astilbe japonica, 'W.E. Gladstone' is a clump-forming perennial grown for its large, feathery, creamy white flower clusters in late spring and early summer. They arise on slender stems above ferny clumps of lustrous rich green foliage.

Astilbes in the Japonica Group prefer partial shade and moist, fertile, well-drained soil, but can tolerate drier and sunnier locations. This low-maintenance perennial looks best when planted in groups...

(Astibe, False Spirea, Washington False Spirea)

One of many early-blooming hybrids of the East Asian species Astilbe japonica, 'Washington' is a clump-forming perennial grown for its large, feathery, creamy-white flower clusters in early summer. They arise on slender stems above ferny clumps of lustrous rich green foliage.

Astilbes in the Japonica Group prefer partial shade and moist, fertile, well-drained soil, but can tolerate drier and sunnier locations. This low-maintenance perennial looks best when planted in groups or mixed...